Axiom’s integration with identity providers such as Okta, Microsoft Entra ID (formerly Azure AD), and Google Workspace focuses on granular access control to groups and roles, ensuring dynamic and secure permission management. By streamlining the process of requesting and granting access to these critical resources, Axiom helps organizations achieve least privilege access while automating workflows to reduce administrative overhead.
Managing Access to Groups and Roles with Axiom
When integrated with identity providers, Axiom allows users to request access to specific groups or roles, such as a team role in Microsoft Entra ID or a project-based group in Google Workspace. Through automated workflows and Just-in-Time (JIT) provisioning, Axiom ensures that access is only granted when necessary and for the appropriate duration, minimizing security risks.
Key Features and Capabilities for Group and Role Access:
- Granular Role-Based Access Control (RBAC):
Axiom enhances identity providers like Okta, Microsoft Entra ID, and Google Workspace by providing fine-grained access control over roles and groups. Users can request access to specific roles in Microsoft Entra ID or membership in a security group within Okta, ensuring that each access request is precisely managed and aligned with security policies. - Automated Self-Service Workflows:
Axiom’s self-service portal allows users to submit access requests for roles or groups through a user-friendly interface integrated with collaboration tools like Slack or Jira. These requests are automatically routed for approval based on predefined workflows, streamlining the process and reducing the need for manual intervention . - Just-in-Time Access to Groups and Roles:
When a user is granted access to a group or role, Axiom applies Just-in-Time (JIT) provisioning, ensuring that permissions are active only for the required time frame. This reduces the risk of over-permissioning and prevents long-standing access privileges, a common security vulnerability. - Dynamic Identity and Role Management:
Axiom continuously monitors the activity of users within identity provider ecosystems, ensuring that permissions to groups and roles are dynamically adjusted as users’ needs change. For example, if a user moves to a different project or role within the organization, Axiom automatically revokes unnecessary permissions and grants the new ones as needed.
PAM Flow for Access to Groups and Roles:
- Access Request:
A user initiates a request for access to a specific group or role. This could be for joining a group in Okta (e.g., a security group or project team) or gaining a temporary role in Microsoft Entra ID (e.g., accessing sensitive Azure resources). - Approval Workflow:
The request is automatically routed through a pre-configured approval process. Approvers, such as managers or security administrators, review the request via integrated tools like Slack or Teams. The approval process is streamlined to ensure that least privilege is maintained at all times. - Just-in-Time (JIT) Access:
Upon approval, Axiom grants the user the necessary access to the requested group or role for a limited period. Whether it’s a developer needing access to a resource management role in Entra ID or a project manager joining a group in Google Workspace, permissions are time-bound, reducing the risk of long-term over-permissioning. - Ongoing Monitoring and Auditing:
Axiom continuously monitors the use of group and role permissions, generating detailed audit logs for compliance purposes. If any unusual activity is detected, such as privilege escalation or misuse of group permissions, security teams are alerted in real-time.
Identity Provider Integration Examples:
- Okta:
Axiom integrates with Okta to manage group memberships dynamically. Users can request to join or leave specific security or project groups, and the approval process is automated based on organizational policies. Once the access need expires, Axiom automatically revokes the user’s membership, ensuring compliance and reducing security risks . - Microsoft Entra ID:
In Microsoft Entra ID (formerly Azure AD), Axiom enhances the ability to manage roles. For example, users may request a temporary administrative role to perform a critical task. Axiom facilitates the approval process, grants the role Just-in-Time, and revokes it once the task is completed. This integration ensures that users only have elevated privileges when absolutely necessary. - Google Workspace:
In Google Workspace, Axiom manages group access by automating requests for joining or leaving organizational groups (e.g., teams or departments). This ensures that access is granted based on role-specific requirements, with automatic de-provisioning once the access is no longer needed .
Business Outcomes of Group and Role Management with Axiom:
- Increased Efficiency: Automating access requests for groups and roles significantly reduces the administrative burden on IT and security teams. By enabling self-service workflows and automated approvals, Axiom minimizes delays while maintaining security.
- Enhanced Security: Through Just-in-Time access and continuous monitoring, Axiom minimizes risks associated with standing privileges and ensures that users have access to sensitive resources only when needed, reducing the potential for credential compromise .
- Streamlined Compliance: Axiom’s integration with identity providers provides detailed audit logs and reporting, ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements such as SOX, SOC-2, and ISO. This simplifies the process of managing user access reviews and audits for groups and roles.
Conclusion:
Axiom’s integration with identity providers like Okta, Microsoft Entra ID, and Google Workspace streamlines the process of requesting and managing access to groups and roles. By automating workflows, enforcing Just-in-Time access, and continuously monitoring activity, Axiom ensures secure, compliant, and efficient access management in cloud-native environments. This modernizes access control and reduces the security risks associated with over-permissioned roles and groups.
